n.
The space or position behind someone or something; the rear side. The back part, a later time, afterwards, or the next generation. A mouth (口) under a shelter (厂) calls out from the rear, like a voice behind you.
后
Common Usage & Traps
- 后面 — behind; at the back
- 一个月后 — after one month; a month later
- 课后 — after class
-
在我后在我后面后 does not stand alone as a location word in this pattern. Use 后面 for physical behind.
-
后一个月一个月后For after a month, the time phrase comes first. 后 goes after it.
-
一个月后面一个月后For time, use 后, not 后面. 后面 is for physical position.
Can you just say 他在我后 to mean 'He is behind me'?
No. 后 cannot stand alone as a location word; use 后面.
English lets 'behind' stand alone, but Chinese does not let 后 do that after 在. Say 他在我后面, not 他在我后. 后 still works in fixed combos like 课后 or 一个月后.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Behind me | 他在我后面 | 他在我后 |
| At the back | 在后面 | 在后 |
| The shop is at the back | 商店在后面 | 商店在后 |
Why do Chinese speakers say 一个月后 instead of 后一个月?
Put 后 after the time phrase, not before it.
Chinese puts the time phrase first, then adds 后 to mean later. So after a month is 一个月后, not 后一个月. The same pattern gives 三天后, 两年后, and 课后. For physical behind, use 后面 instead.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| After a month | 一个月后 | 后一个月 |
| After three days | 三天后 | 后三天 |
| After class | 课后 | 后课 |
| A month later | 一个月后 | 一个月后面 |
Appears in Stories 2 stories
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
Before you read, try clapping the rhythm. This poem introduces the days of the week and a fun secret: Chinese has two names for Sunday, but no 'Week Seven'!
-
星期一 后 星期二。
This heartwarming story shows how a small act of kindness can be passed on. Follow Gao Xianming as he learns an important lesson about generosity in his new city.
-
一个月 后 ，高先明来这里坐车。
-
很多天 后 的一天早上，高先明来这里坐车。
Questions & Discussion 0 questions
No questions or discussions yet. Have a question about this character/word? Be the first to ask!